There's no shortage of threats that loom Topside in ARC Raiders. From dangerous ARC machines to rogue raiders trying to hunt you down for loot, it can be tough to extract back to Speranza with your loot intact.
If you're tired of constantly dying for other players and wish to matchmake into friendly PvE lobbies in ARC Raiders, you're in luck. Check out this guide to find out how you can increase your chances of getting into the friendly PvE lobbies.
ARC Raiders Is Starting to Look Like a Massive Social Experiment
ARC Raiders is starting to reveal something unexpected about its players, and the results feel less like a shooter and more like a social experiment.
How to Get Into Friendly PvE Lobbies in ARC Raiders
Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund has confirmed that ARC Raiders uses aggression-based matchmaking. This allows the game to group up friendly players who prefer PvE and looting into the same lobby, while grouping more hostile PvP folks into another. This ensures that all players have an enjoyable experience in the game.
So, if you're wondering how you can get into matches where the entire lobby isn't set on knocking out each other for loot, here are a few actions you can take.
Don't Use Your Weapons Against Other Players
When you load into matches, make sure to only use your weapons against ARC machines. Avoid shooting your weapon at other players, even if they're trying to take you down.
Try to escape a hostile situation, or simply spam the "Don't Shoot" emote when you're entering buildings and open areas to announce that you're friendly to other players.
While it's a hassle for sure, if you're constantly getting gunned down, you'll need to keep at it for at least five to six rounds. This will eventually turn the matchmaking factors in your favor, and the game will start placing you in more friendly PvE lobbies.
Drop Items for Other Players
Another great way to increase your chances of matchmaking into friendly PvE lobbies is by simply dropping items around other players. If they pick said item up and use the "thank you" prompt, it'll push the matchmaking factors in your favor, and you'll eventually start getting into PvE lobbies.
Revive Downed Players
It's recommended to carry a Defibrillator or two before heading into a raid. If you find any fellow raiders downed (DBNO), you can revive them with it. This will also increase your chances of getting into friendly PvE lobbies, and you may even make a friend as a bonus.
Try Playing Instruments Around Other Players
With the introduction of the Cold Snap update, ARC Raiders have added a new Vibing status effect. When you're playing a musical instrument like the Acoustic Guitar, Recorder, or Shaker around other players, their character will display a unique animation. My personal testing has revealed that this also affects the matchmaking factors and increases your chances of getting into friendly PvE lobbies in ARC Raiders.
ARC Raiders
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 92%
- Released
- October 30, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen / Violence, Blood
- Developer(s)
- Embark Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Embark Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes - all platforms
- Cross Save
- Yes - via Embark ID
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- October 30, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- October 30, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- October 30, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Extraction, Shooter, Third-Person Shooter, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
